Bhopal has broken a 58-year-old record for cold. On Sunday-Monday night, the temperature in Bhopal was 3.3°C, the lowest since 1966. If the temperature drops by another 0.3°C, the overall record will be broken. The meteorological department has issued an alert for a cold wave on Monday as well.
In Bhopal, December has been characterized by cold and rain throughout the day and night. Out of the last 10 years, the city has experienced rain in December for the past 5 years. There has been rainfall of up to half to three-quarters of an inch.
The intense cold is likely to severely affect both residents and agriculture, with frost and cold day conditions predicted in several districts. Major areas such as Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, and Shajapur are expected to experience the brunt of the cold. Meanwhile, the coldest spot in the state was recorded at Kalyanpur (Shahdol), where the mercury dropped to a bone-chilling 1.5°C. Other areas with extremely low temperatures include Pachmarhi (2.0°C), Girvar in Shajapur (2.5°C), Umaria (2.8°C), and Mandla (3°C).
In contrast, the warmest nights in the state were recorded in Chitrakoot (13.2°C), Kannod (11.2°C), Seoni (9.0°C), Indore (8.9°C), and Sagar (8.5°C). Many regions that had previously reported temperatures below 10°C are now experiencing sub-5°C conditions, making the cold unbearable.
Meteorologists predict that the cold wave will persist for the next three to four days, with temperatures taking longer than usual to return to normal. The continuous snowfall in northern India has intensified icy winds sweeping through Madhya Pradesh, keeping the state in the grip of severe cold for the past five days. The cold wave is expected to last until December 17, with some relief anticipated afterward.
Cold winds are likely to affect districts such as Neemuch, Mandsaur, Dhar, Shajapur, Rajgarh, Sagar, Seoni, Jabalpur, Katni, Shahdol, Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, and Niwari. Severe cold day conditions are expected in Sehore, Raisen, and Vidisha, while Narsinghpur will also be under the influence of a cold day.
Friday night in Bhopal was recorded as the second coldest night of the past decade. The drop in temperature is attributed to the intrusion of cold winds resulting from heavy snowfall in northern India. The subtropical jet stream winds, blowing at speeds of 296 km/h at an altitude of 12.6 km in West-North India, have exacerbated the chill. The IMD warned that the cold effect could intensify further if these winds descend to lower altitudes.
A Western Disturbance active in northern India has also contributed to the melting of snow, causing temperatures to drop even further. Over the past 24 hours, dry weather prevailed across the state, with cold wave conditions being reported in regions such as Rajgarh, Ratlam, Umaria, Mandla, Seoni, Guna, Narmadapuram, Badwani, Marukheda (Neemuch), Amarkantak (Anuppur), Piprasama (Shivpuri), and Singrauli.
Severe cold wave conditions were observed in Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore, Girvar (Shajapur), Kalyanpur (Shahdol), and Jabalpur. Cold day conditions were noted in Rajgarh, Dhar, Indore, Sehore, Girvar (Shajapur), Ujjain, Sidhi, Narsinghpur, Betul, and Neemuch.
Day temperatures have fallen significantly below normal in Bhopal, Narmadapuram, and Ujjain divisions, and slightly below normal in Indore, Gwalior, Rewa, Jabalpur, Shahdol, and Sagar divisions. Night temperatures have also plunged well below normal in Bhopal, Indore, Narmadapuram, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Shahdol, and Sagar divisions. Residents have been advised to take necessary precautions as the cold wave is expected to continue, further intensifying the already harsh weather conditions.
